His Milan counterpart agrees there is an element of truth to that, but feels it is part of a wider issue.

“Everything that happens in football is a reflection of its society, so the attitude of young players is that of lads off the field too,” noted Leonardo.

“This generation is a bit like that. Nowadays a great champion will have three top class years, whereas Michel Platini had 15 and someone like Kaka will have another 15.

“Let us take Adriano as an example. He plays for Flamengo when he could’ve been at one of the biggest clubs in the world. If a youngster looks at Adriano and Kaka, he realises who should be the example and how to have a different future.

“Mourinho is right, but today’s young players act the way today’s young people do. Adriano is the product of a journey through Brazilian society. I won’t believe these lads are bad and that’s all, they are formed by the society around them.

“Having said that, it’s true that this makes our work more difficult as Coaches. Everyone has distractions and influences from the outside, the first to change are usually the people around the young player.”